Nuristan PRT provides needed equipment to medical clinic

NURISTAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

01.30.2008

Story by Spc. Gregory Argentieri 

173rd Airborne Brigade

Spc. Gregory Argentieri
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team donated two laptop computers and a motorcycle to the Nangaresh Medical Clinic, Jan. 30, in eastern Afghanistan.

The PRT secured the money through the Commander's Emergency Response Program to make a small investment that will go a long way in bringing the Nangaresh Clinic into the 21st century.

"The Nangaresh Clinic is the only healthcare clinic in this Nurgaram District area, and it supports all the way north to the Dow Ab District," said Army Capt. Matthew G. Hathorn, Civil Affairs officer. "What we did is provided a couple of laptop computers and a motorcycle so that they can facilitate their immunization, inoculation program."

One of the clinic's doctors was very grateful to the PRT.

"Today, we are happy because you gentlemen bring us a motorcycle and two computers," said Dr. John Mohammad, Nangaresh Clinic physician in charge. "We go into different areas to help the poor people, and right now it is very difficult for us to get there, so this will be good for the people."

The motorcycle will allow Mohammad to help people up in Titen, Waterloo and even the Shegal Valley, where there are only single-track roads, said Hathorn. Sometimes trucks can't get to these places.

Supporting a health clinic is not just Americans helping Afghans; its Americans helping Afghans help themselves, said Hathorn.

"Anything we can do to help build their infrastructure, build their systems, so they can stand on their own feet and provide support to their own nation means that an American Soldier doesn't have to do it," said Hathorn.

Reaching out and helping Afghans build basic medical infrastructure, not only helps civilians, it increases the confidence Afghans have in the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, said Navy Lt. Cmdr. William C. Ashby, PRT physicians assistant and medical officer.

"We gave them some important equipment that's going to enable them to reach more people, serve more people and thus build confidence in the local people in their own infrastructure," said Ashby, a Fredericksburg, Va., native.

"The motorcycle will enable the clinic to expand their vaccination program," he said. "A gentleman routinely travels into the surrounding mountains walking to far flung villages to perform routine vaccinations. The motorcycle is going to enable him to get there quicker, move farther, see more people, thus have more people protected health wise by vaccination."

The two simple laptop computers will enable clinic physicians to create an electronic database, to keep track of patients. The new system is an improvement on the old-fashion pencil and paper method, the clinic's workers were using.

It's like any clinic in the west or any where else in the world, said Ashby. It will be easy for physicians to track disease trends and patient demographics.

"I know how to use a computer a little, but (the PRT members are) going to give me a class to help me better use the computer," said Mohammad.

"We have a very close relationship with the people of this clinic," said Ashby. "I work from time to time with the doctors, and they have come here and seen patients with us. Our job is not to come here and see all the patients in Afghanistan, we can't do that. What we need to do, medically speaking, as well as many other areas of rebuilding this country, is help (Afghans) help themselves.

"To help these doctors, it meant a lot to them to get this equipment, and so it was a personally satisfying mission," he said.

"I want to thank all of you for all you do for this hospital and the people of this area."

• Date Taken: 01.30.2008
• Date Posted: 02.24.2008 08:38
• Story ID: 16632
• Location: NURISTAN PROVINCE, AF